Dlamini-Zuma distances herself from mudslinging

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) presidential hopeful Dr Nkosazana- Dlamini-Zuma has distanced herself from the current mudslinging associated with the upcoming national elective conference in December.

She has called on her supporters to refrain from dragging her name in any of their activities that go against the democratic culture of the ANC.

Dlamini-Zuma said the recent disruptive activities by some ANC members cannot be linked to her name because she has maintained discipline throughout her political career.

“We should always ensure that we are tolerant of divergent views, that through our conduct we accept differences and build the unity and reputation of the African National Congress,” Dlamini Zuma said in a statement released through the ANC Women’s League.

In light of the decisions taken by members who lose conferences, Dlamini-Zuma said they should not be too quick to rush to the courts.

Instead they should rather ensure that they maintain the integrity of the organisational processes so that they can stand up to public scrutiny, and where there are differences, to find internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks come after members of the ANC in the Eastern Cape were involved in fist fights that left a number of them injured. The fight was between a faction supporting Dlamini-Zuma and current deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. The fight erupted as the conference was in the process of adopting credentials.

The faction led by former Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Phumulo Masualle, which is understood to be lobbying for Dlamini-Zuma to succeed President Jacob Zuma lost the conference in East London over the weekend and immediately turned to the court with the application to interdict the conference.

The East London High Court ruled that Former Eastern Cape Provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane was elected legitimately and the application was struck off the roll on Monday.

The leadership in the province now consists of Ramphosa’s allies. Mlungisi Mvoko was elected as Mabuyane’s deputy, Lulama Ngcukaitobi as the Provincial Secretary, Helen Sauls as Deputy Secretary and Babalo Madikizela tasked with the position of Treasury.

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